Tick Season Is Here!

PLATTSBURGH, NY (WVNY/WFFF) —

As soon as warm weather sets in, ticks make their appearance too. These tiny pests can bring about serious health issues like Lyme disease.

"In the Northern region, tick season begins when our temperatures consistently stay above 40 degrees. Consequently, due to varying yearly conditions, much of the year might be considered tick season here, extending until late October," explained Molly Flynn, who serves as the Principal Public Health Educator at the Clinton County Health Department.

Ticks are often so small; many people may not notice or feel them on their body.

He will search for areas such as your armpits, behind your ears, or within your hair—somewhere you aren't frequently touching. Then, he'll essentially puncture and bury his head deep into your skin to get direct access to your bloodstream," explained Tia Legge, an agriculture educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County. "Although this might sound frightening, usually people do not notice it.

Ticks can transmit illnesses that pose significant risks not just to humans, but also to our animals.

The most prevalent tick-borne ailment in our region is Lyme disease. Additionally, instances of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and Powassan virus have been documented here as well," noted Flynn. "We've also observed that these ticks can harbor multiple diseases simultaneously.

Maintaining a tidy yard free from leaves and debris, along with keeping the grass closely cut, is essential for preventing ticks.

If you're heading outside, it's advisable to apply an EPA-registered insect repellent, dress in light, tightly woven clothes covering as much of your skin as feasible, opt for closed-toe footwear, and pull your pants' legs inside your socks.

Once they have been outdoors, individuals should thoroughly inspect themselves and their pets' bodies for ticks.

Examine your hairline, ears, armpits, navel, waist area, behind your knees, groin region, ankles, and between your toes," instructed Flynn. "Also remember to do tick checks on your pets.

If you discover a tick attached to your skin, it's advisable to use fine-tipped tweezers for removal. Firmly grasp the tick near its mouthparts, which are closest to your skin, then gently pull upward steadily without rotating, tugging abruptly, or extracting hastily. After successfully removing the tick, cleanse the affected region using soap and water. Subsequently, place the extracted tick inside a Ziploc bag or another tightly closed receptacle.

Ticks can be submitted to Legge at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Plattsburgh for identification and testing.

Both Clinton County Health Department and Cornell Cooperative Extension possess comprehensive materials regarding ticks.

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